Telephone system.



Q wi'fnessjes: E

D. s. HUI-FISH. TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

' APPLICATION FILED DEC. 28, 1906.

940,693. Patented N0v;23,1909.

v and the operator; *-its,object is to promote answer the call; third, to assign calling lines precedence, and are assigned to t e other fuHc-apacity, and in which the work Q the -li ne.s is thereby unequally divided anio T 0 a'll'eohom "it may concern."

-(levices for announcing the call to the op-' calls until the first call assigned has been answered; second, to assign a calling line to a line from discrimination through negli ence systems in which originating calls are asmxv n s. H LFISH,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOISQASSIGHOR T0 MciuEmv smitten; or

-'- CH ICAGO, ILLINOIS, A, GOPLBTNER SHIP. I w

. TELEPHOAIE srsrnu,

Be it knownthat 1, -DAVID S. Houston, a citizen of the United States of America, re siding at Chicago, county of'Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Telephone ystems, of which the following is a specification."

, My inventionperta'ins to semi-automatic -telephone exchan efsystems; 1t hes in the class of-systems w erein the work of manual operators is facilitated by automaticap-paratus placed between the calling subscriber;

team work between the opera tors at a manual multiple board.

In the system of my invention, I provide multiple answering jacks, andth us rovide a means whereby any line may institute an originating call before anyone of a plurality of operators; in connection with the answer-1 ing jacks, lgprovide call-controllingor Y= erator,;the object of the call controlling devices being four-fold: first, to give but one still to.an operator, and to withhold other definitely selected operator, and to withhold that line from calllng signals before other operators until the. operator first selected has signified an unwillingness or inability to consecutively to operators in the order of the connection of the, lines 1n each call-controlling device, thus protecting any definite of the operator; and, fourth, to distribute the calls of a multipledgroup'of lines im-, partially to-all of the operators assigned to that group of lines, in contradist-inction to signed'to a given operator standin first in operators only when there is an overplus of calls after the first operator 1S workin at' the severaloperators serving the group 0 I Specification ofLetters Patent. Patefltd Not". 23,1909. Application filed December 28, 1906. seria1m.a49,a5

I the imultipled answer than of the mechanical details required; the

' 5 UNITED sTA Es r-ATENT a deviceare set forth, together with asugges j entire figure is drawn with reference to the resent circuits of a well known type of reay m'ultipleswitchboard and the cordcircuit commonly associated therewith.

In thefigure, S is a substation telephone equipment associated with the line 1,,which 1n the central oflic'e assesfthrough the distributing' frame D, coming conductors 11 in'tlie cabling to multiple calling jacksand becomingfconductors 12 in the I cabling f to l jacks, the group of llnes here consi cred, the lines are mii'ltipled' with calling jacks at A, Band C wh ch maybe assumed to be the inultipling \p at three consecutive switchboard. sections, each section accommodating three switchboard operators; the grou of lines is mul;

tipled with answering jac s at A1 and LC,

opposite the calling jackmultiple of the 7 lines, thus indicating that vin this instance the answering jacks are multipled before every sixth operator. r

A cord pair ofa' well knowntype is shown so. at P. In a switchboard using the type of cord pa1rshown=at P, it is customary to;

equip each :line with a h'ne or calling relay and with a cut-off relay, as well as with a.

line or;calling,lamp; these items are not required in the system here illustrated, but

for the proper operation of the'gcord pair P it is necessary to install theresi'stance R between the test wire of the'line andeart-h.

Each group'of lines is associated at each group of answering jacks with a 02111 9011- trolling device which as a whole-may be designated' Y in the figure. The; call-controlling device Y consists of a pe'rmat ionswitch of any desired mechanical type, which tests the lines of the group consecutively by connecting a set of bus w1rs,4, 5,6,

with the three conductors of'the linefin switchboard, stopping in registry with a, calling line not previously assigned to an operator, and bperating then to assign that calling linei. the operator with whom the device Y is associated. One' device Y is as'-' sociated with each operators position.

Mechanically as shown, the device Y cons'ists of an arm 7 upon a shaft 8, the shaft 8 being rotated continuously b the motor M and its associatedaw'orm an gear 9. The arm 7 carries three brushes,13,14,15, bearing-continuously upon the three collector rings 18, 17, 16, respectively,

' the answering jack identified by the of the pointer. Additional arts of t 0 call- 25, thefon-normal travel hrin answering jack associated and connecting those collector rings to insulated waiting contacts located adjacent thereto.' The shaft 8 carries also the pointer 19, traveling over the dial the symbols of the dial correspond to the symbols identifying the all.

upon the shaft 8 is such that when the arm 7 stops with its brushes or wi rs in contact with the conductors of 9.. ca a line, -the pointer 19 will indicate upon the dial the identifying symbol oi the with that calling line thus, when the pointer stops, thepporator 'mayanswer the call by plugging into sition controling device Yarn t e toasting relay 21,.the cut ofi relay22, the pilot" lamp 23, the emer ency switch 24i, the masterfdwitch switch 26, the ofi normal the shaft 8,, the clutch energization of the test-; relay 21 the motor'M' may hedisconthe motion of j re 97- attached t0 the'system as a whole '11 the line hried together at the substation through the talking-hridge; whenthe arm? in itsits brushes into connection with the waitingcontacts-of the line 2, current willflow from Battery 29jthrough ele 13, '18, i, 35 and earth, by the current through ments 25, 24, 30, 31', .5 17, 14, 33, line 2, sub station bridge thereoi, line2 returning, 32,

energizing relay 21' conductor 30 constituting a windin thereof, and by the movement of that re ays armatures accomplishing the following results: First, the clutch '28 is operated to disconnect the motor M from the shaft 8, thusstopping the 'wi ers' 13, 141,153." in connection withthe cal 'ng J line' and stopping the pointer 19 at 2 upon the 'dial2fl; second,'loy the right-hand armature of the relay 2]. the full potential of the battery 29 is connected directly to the armature 31.0% the cut-0E relay, and thus to the line conductor of the calling line now being served time raising tha -potential of that conductor to the iull potential of the hate tery 29 and preventing the circuit thro igh the substation of that line from operating to energize any other test relay (as relay 21 at position 0) which may subsequentiy eonnect with thedevice Y appropriates the calling line -test conditionsto guar it from other cal -controlling' devices which may serve it jointly with-the device illustrated in answerin jacks at A the leftand nrmature of the relay 21 cl its contact, giving path for current operators attentiomthe' indicator pletej the-call iii-the 3 1i Emanuel mitti 'tential uponthe con mologous conductor in -other Y devices, as regard the automatic portion of the systemthefjacks ,tem. arm '3 brings its wipers into registry with being ing clicks.

the conductors of the line; thus -V association with the in the figure; third, f

throughF-tho alternative Winding of its own core, extending the energization of the core,- regardless of the short-circuiting of the testing I winding primarily energizing} the core, and .also furnishing current forthe illumination of the'lam swering jacks, and the adjustment of the" pointer 19 p 23 2. lamp a 3 P111 for the e ce. hlch mu attrgqg th operator, noting f-thei-indicationiaof the polnter 19, willliisertan answer-in l .j' excommanner. By the insertion of the-answering through the signal conductor oi the-.cbrd,

sleeve of plug, sleeve of'jalck 2', conductor 34, wiper 15, collector ringlfi, conductor-6, and winding of relay 22 tovearth, energizing the release rela 22, and by the operation f l of the armatures -o relay 22 opening the 01rcuits of both windings of relay21, thus perthe clutch 2 8 to rengage and move. line just served; the Y will continue until the wipers from the progress of the device another calling line is found, regardless of the duration of time required for thee erjust assi her, The line 2 now is busy, the'test or busy being evidenced by the o-' uctor'34: and the o- "atorto comegete the connection for the e and eyes potential upon the test rings. 0

When, on subsequent revolutions, the

the contacts of the line 2, the wiper 115,

set angularly in advance of the remeining two wi ers," will receive current from the test con uctor and will operate the cut-0E relay 22, thus preventing electrical connection between the talking conductors for the manual portion ofthe sys-- of the =line2 and the battery or ground a'ssociated with the Y device, and thus preventupon the line by reason of the passin of the brushes of the Y device. This condition of course is true regardless of the ident ty of the jack, answering or calling, at

which the connection between theplug and the',-line ismad'e.

The ofi-normal switch 26 is instrumental in stopping the Y device in the proper posithe motor M, and

tion, as, when the master switch 25 is opened in which position the wipers will rest upon an idle set of contact-points, shown black as for insulated points in the figure, The emergenc switch 24 is for the use of the. operatorw en for any reason she 1s,

*unable to answer a call assigned to her by the call-controlling device; a. momentary;

inwaa opening of this key v'vill' causet he briishes move off of thecontacts-of. the calling line,"

leaving the line to .be'picked up; by, some:

7 other call-controlling device servingvit.

2 Referring to the'second ragraph ofthis specification, the objects the call-control A ling deviceareaexplained as follows: First,

1 it is impossible iforl the indicator to identify more than one Jcallin" line. at onetime; 0nd, whenia calling ine is indicatedbymne call-controlling, device, Qp'roper' potential,

conductors of: that line to prevent:actiori f o'r it byanj other call-con}; 'trolhn device, but not-to prevent the taking boar s amaa third, "thelines connected to 9 a e 1 throughout a complete revolution of the ,wi'piers, but to beneglecte'd through one com:

lete revolution it must 'bearbitrarilymban- I r oneduby the use ofthe emergency key 24;

o ftheine byany callix'lgp luginthe calling I "jacks of -the multiple,2 that being the gen secutively, so that no line may be overlooked there'is no interdependence in the operation of the several"call-controlling"devices-serv i po t ing alg-lrdup of linesother than-the busy test vide the callsequally i no 'ot-herpositions areservin theksame group of lines; and the i total num r, of positions servinga groupshould -di-vide' equally between themselves I the total; load of, the group of lines served, assuming equal diligence among the'open ators atthose positions.- When-any one'Y device'is' motionless by reason of the pause between-the-assignment of a call-jto an ope'r-\ atorand the answerin ,of-the call byfthe 0p- P erator, any further ca ls upon that group-of lines will be taken careof. immediately by the 'othei Y devices of theother operators positions serving thatiline. By the lawsof chance, therefore, an equal-distribution of duty is secured, and'not a-distr but-ion decalls among the total number of operators on pendin upon an overplus of calls-beyond the ab ity of any preferredoperator'or group of operators. i g t It is seen from the d agram-that theoperator at A! and the operator at C constitute a team of two operators answering calls upon the same lines and bearingt e loa'd equally between them ii the load I light, but bearing roportionof their respective a ilities if the reasonably the load to ether in the oad be'heavy, for the following reasons;

First, if the load belight, eachoperator may answer a call 'and complete the connection in readiness to answer the next call before the next call'comes in,-thus.-1)rmitting the calls to divide between them solely by the the ;.call-controlling devlce are tested conj e lines, so that "an y'callin Jineof the grouphere illustratedis as like y to'be .engaged'by the Y device atthe positionrras, by the Y device at the position A, and by'the' laws of chance the two ositions should di-J- load so'heavy that each operator is behind with her work and at least-- one call always is waitingforthe releascof a calLcohtrolof'her calls :most quickly will release er 'lY. device-jmostr lquicklyand most freiatede'signationo another call, so

rtio nflof "the total" load, by reason of these'iacts obtain whemth e consideration is is indicated by the continuance .of the con-e so on; 1

indefinitely, presumably until "a sufficient number-'of operators 1havebeen placed in hour. Assuming by fthe proportion of 1 -to-n or ,Q-tom one or from the. switchboard and their-positions lines 11 will distribute equally among the is'suflicie'ntly reduced, but one-opera=tor will before her in her call-controlling device. i -When 1t is"considered that, the operator at A unites n team work with-the operator nes', and-when it is considered that the operator at'C unites in team work with the o d ing multipled answering jacks upon other oups'of =l1ne's, and when itis considered left of A. maybe serving groups of lines proper distribution of the call-controlling devices at the various operatorse positions upon a multiple board may resultin' such a Workto the limit of her ability,'yet none work bevyond her ability, a

The} device may have from 100 tolOOfi the exchange and other conditions requiring study and solution 7 for each installation of the system.

quentl ,'each,Lrelease;-bein followed; by the that-at theend ofQaperiod 0t observation. it

will befound that she-has 1 carried the major I uctors 'of thejansweringjacks to the left ,0 the position (l'as if to aposition E, and.

operatorsremaining. When the traflic' load rator at her right and ether left ham.

flaws-of chance or, oftwo simultaneous calls, one may go to each operaton. Second, if the 79. ling -Y' devicelthen the operator who dis 3 ervgreater ability; Itis furtherseen that made of'a larger number of opera-tors w ork-. ing together on the same grouppflines, as 5 made idle-by opening theswitches 250i positions,- the calls 'of the group of t e handle the entire group, all callsterminating.

at her right and ather left handling multis led answering jacks upon other groups of rtherthat the operators at the right and I difi'erent from those at the right and left 7 of C, it will be-seen that in my system the 7 perfect plan of teamwork among operatorsthat the entire switchboard 1s unitedinto a e single workingunlt ande'ach operator may lines -connected,- depending upon the sizep'of v I do not wish-to limit myself to the exact. details herein illustrated and described, as

' tially as described. 2c

l I understand that many modifi'ealionsmay be made without departing from'the' spirit or scope of my invention. Y

Having thus described my invention, what .I claim as new anddesire to secure ,by. Lctters Patent is: p

' 1. In a telephone system, a plurality? of lines, manual means for connecting with said lines at a plurality of operators-positions, call-indicating devices at a plurality I vof operators positions and having-all of the lines accessible to each of the callndh indicatorof any one of said eell il dicating catingdevices, and means for causing the devices to identifya calling line, substan:

lines, means for connecting with lines at ap-lurality pf operators positions-calls indicating dBVlCGS at, a plurality of oper ators positions and having all of the said lines accessible. to each of the said call-in-- dicating devices, simultaneously calling lines not in number in excess of the number-Moi said call-indicating devices being si ultaneously identified by said call-indieating devices, substantially as described, 0

4. In a telephone system,'a plurality of lines, manually operated jacks and switch plugs for connecting with said lines at a plurality of operators positions, cell-indicating devices at a plurality of operators positions and each havingv access to all of said lines and collectively indicating and identifying all simultaneously calling lines when'the number of simultaneously calling lines is not in excess of the number of callindicating devices, substantially as described. 1

5. In a telephone system, a. pluralityof lines,'manually operated means for connecting with said lines, a plurality of operators positions, a call-seeking and lineridentifying device at each or" said operators positions,

Said lines being terminated in a plurality of said call-seeking devices and each of, said call-seeking devices having moving, "parts adapted to detect callingline and to stop in registry with the calling ,line/ and to identify the calling line to the operatof, sub

stanua ly' as describe 6,-Ina telephone system, a plurality of ines, manually operated means 'forc nnectaccess 1 positions, a call swkingjandglineii dev ce at each of ssidfop'erato said lines bemg terminated a af plurality of "each of said moving parts ywith a calling with and to said call-seeking devices tecting'the' line thus red Wlljll tiom being detected an by others of the calleseeking devi g, access to that line, substantiall" libed '2'. Inc telephone m,' a line, a plural ity of call-indicating devices having access to. said -line endfe'ech adapted to identity said line when said liuej'is. calling, and means in each of said gcall-indicatin devices tot,

rendering thesald line centre to the other cf, aid cell-ind ating devices when said hue 1S dcntlfi'edby any one of said call-.111

dicalting devices, su stantially as described 84 In a telephone, s stem, a .ura ty ct" lines; call-indicati g. evices at a mural-it. o operatorspcsitions. and ea h of said. cell: indicating devices having all' of the said lmcs accessible; means as causing the call indicator oiany of said devic s ldeatity'e -callmg line; manual switching recess for f answer-in the call upon the line thus idem t1 fied, a' means for releas ng the all its dice-tor from the, answered line, substantially as. descri ed.

9. In a telephone systema a plurality cf lines proanualiy ope-rated means. fer connect m with said hues; a plural ty ct repe -"atax a gcsiti n a l -seekin and linc-ideatiiying ev ce on each of sex operators pccit1 s,

said lines. being terminated in a plusality cf said all-seekingdcvxce's, ea h calhseekisg device being acla itmi to detects (Jellies ine andto e lktlfj that line to the operator at whose position the. eell sc king de i e is located each call-seekin device hsy' g swi means for protecting the 1513 thus i from. being detected and dentified b any other call-seeking device; and means as re: leasing the call-se king device. and opcmting to release the device upon the manual an. swe-ring of the-identified line, suhstestially as described.

i 10. In a telephone system; a 1 8.8; manual y enacted means lurality cf positions; a eall seekirf device on each of operatoss position time mg with said lines; a plurality of opeg ators. cad hucident tymg said lines being terminated in a pl rality cv I said call-seeking devices, each cellsceking devicebeing adapted to dete a ceiling line and to identify that line, to the, opesator at whose position the -ca Lseekingdcvicc is located; and means for releasing the callseelging device and operating'to kcl ase the device upon the manual answering of the ing with said lines, a plurality of operators identified line, substantial y as described.

11.In a telephone system, a plurality of lines; a plurality of operators positions means enabling any operator to answer any of said lines; a call-seekin and line-iden-i tifying device associated Wit-beach of said operators positions, said lines being terminated each in a plurality of said call seeking devices, eac'h call seeking devicebeing adapted to detect a calling lineand to identify that line to the operator with Whose position the call-seeking device is associated means in each call-seeking deviceffor pro tecting a line thus identified from being de-' tected' and identified by. any otherticall-seek ing device; and means for releasing the call seeking device from the identified line-and operating to release the device upon the answering of the identifiedvline, substantially as described. v

12. In a telephone system, a plurality. of

lines; a-pluralityof operatorspositipns;

means enabling any operator to answer any ofcsaid lines; a call-seeking and line-iden tifying device associatedlwith each of said .operators positions; 'saidlines being tern minated each in a plurality'pf said canseeking devices, each call-seekin device be ing adapted to detect a calling ine and to i I identify that line tothe operator with whose position the call seekingdevice isassociated; and means for releasingthe call-seeking device from the identified line and operating to releasethe device upon the effecting of a switching connection 'with the identified ,line, substantially as described. 

